SB Nation - Devin Ebanks

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Backyard Brawl (11/27/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:39:33 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information and entertainment. Today we're being brought to you by Eat Shit Pitt Premium Lager. And with that, I'm voluntarily ending the red/gold label streak at 27.

Big day today people. The 76 Classic is under way and what else? Oh, yeah, IT'S THE BACKYARD BRAWL!!!!! Weather looks to be nasty for those of us going to the game. I'm ready, are you? There's lot's inside to help you prepare. Have a great weekend!!!!! Keep the tips, suggestions and requests coming. Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Tailgate Recipe of the Week:

Uncle Dan’s Almost Famous Chili

Ingredients:
4-5 lbs of ground chuck
1/2 cup olive oil
3 cups onions, chopped
3 cups bell peppers, chopped
3 Tbsp. garlic, minced
5 large bay leaves
1 1/2 Tsp. oregano
1 large bottle chili powder
2 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
3 Tbsp. paprika
3 Tbsp. flour
3 qts. beef broth
6 cups pinto beans

Brown the beef in olive oil. Add onions, bell peppers and garlic. Simmer ten minutes. Add bayleaves (will prevent heartburn), oregano, chili powder, ground cumin (more if you like), cayenne pepper, paprika, and flour. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Add beef broth (diluted) and pinto beans. Cover and cook 2 hrs (tasting and stirring is encouraged as well as expected) grab a box of crackers and an ice cold beverage and enjoy.
Courtesy of Tailgating.com

Video of Interest:

Country Roads sent me this a while back and I've been saving it especially for today's edition. It's a great tribute to a man who embodied the fiery sentiment of the Backyard Brawl for many, many years. This one's for you, Jack.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

The girls are back this week, picking the winner of the USC/UCLA game.

This Week in Body Painting:

via www.gunaxin.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a Victoria's Secret Angel from down under. Please say g'day to Miranda Kerr.

via www.vivagoal.com

Eat Shit Pitt image via Beer Label Builder

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Thanksgiving (11/26/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:47:55 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information and entertainment. Today we're being brought to you by Club Colombia, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown. That makes 27.

There's lots to keep you occupied/distracted inside. Plenty of articles and a few good videos to be thankful for as well. Everyone please have a wonderful Thanksgiving and be safe!!! I'll try to have something else up later today also. The tipline is always open. See you after the jump...

What You May Have Missed:

Tickets remain for WVU-Pitt - Charleston Daily Mail

Preview: Backyard Brawl - BlueGoldNews.com

Game Preview: Pitt - WVIllustrated.com

Pittsburgh-West Virginia is college football game of week - Cory McCartney - SI.com

Backyard Brawl chat transcript featuring Colin Dunlap and Paul Zeise - PPG

College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

College GameDay Kickoff: Week 13 preview - ESPN

News of Note (FB):

Pitt thinking 'Brawl' this week, not BCS - ESPN

Western Pennsylvania players staying away from West Virginia - PPG

WVU's Austin gets a taste of heated rivalry - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Gorman: In the middle of a Backyard Brawl - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
I could not take my WVU degree and go to work for Pitt and root for them....how about you readers?

Numbers down, but Pitt TE Byham is fired up - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Addition of Cignetti good for Panthers - Charleston Daily Mail

Back-to-back top 10 football foes really rare for WVU - Charleston Daily Mail

Multi-tasking Dickerson has helped Panthers - Charleston Daily Mail

Offensive line play key against Panthers - Charleston Gazette
That might be the understatement of the year.

Wannstedt proof that success can take time - Charleston Gazette

Tradtion - WVMetroNews.com

Sowers has done it all at West Virginia - Inter-Mountain

Seniors’ last home game set for Friday - Register-Herald

WVU hosts No. 9 Pitt in rivalry game - Times West Virginian

Today should be about rivalries - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column.......if nothing else, I've learned one thing by doing this daily.....nobody cranks out as many articles as Bob Hertzel.

WVU looks to reverse its season vs. Pitt - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

For WVU, it’s about bowl position - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

Pitt leads series vs. Mountaineers - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

Pittsburgh is old-school, West Virginia 21st century - Bluefield Daily Telegraph (AP)

News of Note (BB):

Men's Basketball: WVU to Take on Long Beach - MSNsportsNET.Com

Preview: Long Beach State - BlueGoldNews.com

West Virginia vs. Long Beach St. Game Preview - WVIllustrated.com

Andy Katz: Loaded field at the 76 Classic provides a holiday feast - ESPN

WVU battles Long Beach State - Times West Virginian

Andy Katz's Daily Word: News and notes from the 76 Classic - ESPN

West Virginia forward Devin Ebanks to make season debut on Thursday - ESPN

76 Classic field will prepare WVU - Charleston Daily Mail

WVU hoping to begin tourney trip with a run on 'The Beach' - Charleston Gazette

Women's Basketball: WVU Heads to Nugget Classic - MSNsportsNET.Com

WVU women in Reno for tourney - Times West Virginian

Recruiting:

EerSports on the Recruiting Trail: Nov. 25

What's On Tap:

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Long Beach State 49ers - ESPN
2 p.m. today at the Anaheim Convention Center on ESPNU. Line has WVU by 15.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Pitt's Wannstedt maintains discipline on and off the field - PPG

Pitt confident despite loss to No. 3 Texas - PPG

With the three top 100 recruits, the Syracuse Orange have the top early recruiting class in the Big East - ESPN

Cincinnati Bearcats senior class will be remembered as one of the best - Cincinnati Enquirer

Louisville basketball all business and turkey in Vegas - Courier-Journal

Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty has become most disruptive special teams player in program history - Star Ledger

Back to basketball - TheUConnBlog.com

South Florida Bulls linebacker Kion Wilson overcomes personal tragedy - ESPN

Videos of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

These are both awesome.

Thanksgiving Gallery:

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is the Colombian beauty who stars in one of the funniest shows on TV right now, Modern Family. Let's all give thanks for Sofia Vergara.

via imstars.aufeminin.com

Club Colombia image via telehaase.files.wordpress.com

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Wednesday (11/25/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:37:11 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information and entertainment. Today we're being brought to you by Widmer. That gets us to 26.

There's plenty inside to keep you occupied for a while. For one, we got good news on the BB front last night. There will still be S/T editions the next two days. I've already got some great things lined up for your enjoyment, so keep visiting through the holiday break as we prepare for the 102nd Backyard Brawl and the 76 Classic. For those of you travelling, be careful and have a great holiday!! I love getting tips, suggestions and requests, so send 'em in. And away we go...

What You May Have Missed:

Citadel vs. West Virginia - Recap - November 24, 2009 - College Basketball - SI.com
WVU takes care of business 69-50 without Ebanks. Though, he was there and dressed.

Williams Named Academic All-American - MSNsportsNET.Com

PITT Media Briefing - WVIllustrated.com
Full press conference video

Big East picks, Week 13 - ESPN

What to watch in the Big East, Week 13 - ESPN

Big East stock report - ESPN

News of Note (FB):

'Brawl' win could make West Virginia's season - ESPN

Brawl in your own backyard: When a Panther marries a Mountaineer, loyalties are tested - PPG

Seton-LaSalle's Connolly finds place at West Virginia - PPG

In the Trenches - MSNsportsNET.Com

WVU football notebook: Mountaineers can't do what Pitt did to them in '07 - Charleston Gazette
Hickman's notebook

Backyard Brawl upset turned Pitt around - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

Panthers rely on 'internal energy' - Charleston Daily Mail

Good choice by Pitt's Romeus - Charleston Gazette

Building program was the Pitt plan - Charleston Daily Mail

Brown comfortable before Brawl - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

Brown has West Virginia offense down Pat - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

WVU-Pitt should be a sellout - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
but it's not...some of Pitt's returned tickets remain unsold and who knows about the students

WVU will try to put the brakes on Pitt's Lewis - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pitt coach not fond of statement by linemen - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

News of Note (BB):

West Virginia Improves to 2-0 - MSNsportsNET.Com

Easy win for WVU - Charleston Gazette

There was an Ebanks in the building -- just not on the court - Charleston Gazette

Expect to see Ebanks play in 76 Classic - Charleston Daily Mail

Like old times - Times West Virginian

WVU’s Mitchell makes transition - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

West Virginia women take care of Duquesne - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Recruiting:

on the Recruiting Trail: Nov. 24 - EerSports

Around the League (and Beyond):

Texas Longhorns vs. Pittsburgh Panthers - Recap - November 24, 2009 - ESPN
Pitt loses to Texas 62-78

Vindication for Wanny & Stull - Pitt Blather

Time for Cincinnati Bearcats coach Brian Kelly to say he's staying - Cincinnati Enquirer

Rutgers looking to move past ugly loss to Syracuse as quickly as possible - Star Ledger

Miami is an avenue for USF's success - Tampa Tribune

Mookie Jones leaves bench during second half - syracuse.com

The Paper Champs - Rumors and Rants
Other than Florida St., UF hasn't played an OOC road game in over 10 years?!?!?!

Videos of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

This kid is hardcore....sign him up for kickoff coverage!!!

Gallery of the Day:

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a native of Baltimore. Please meet Theresa Correa.

via www.outofaces.com

Widmer image via www.2beerguys.com

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Monday (11/23/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:54:03 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for links, information and fun. We're being brought to you today by San Miguel Pale Pilsen. We've made it to 2 dozen. Thanks to PM!!!

It's Brawl week. Just thinking about it gets me fired up. Basketball gets going again tomorrow too. Things are still a bit slow today, but it's picking up. Just so you all know, I'll be here all week. I don't get holidays off (Charley and 5YS are slave drivers). For you deer hunters out there, good luck and be safe. The tips, suggestions and requests have been great, but we need more. It all starts after the jump...

What You May Have Missed:

WVU-Pitt Tickets Available - MSNsportsNET.Com
Pitt returned tickets to us. This was posted late Friday and removed from the front page, so I'm not sure if there are any left.

Gold and Blue Report for Monday - WVMETRONEWS.COM

What we learned in the Big East, Week 12 - ESPN

Week 12 review/Week 13 preview - ESPN

NCAA College Football BCS Bowl Projections Week 12 - ESPN

College Football Overtime - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

College GameDay Final - ESPN

News of Note (FB):

Pitt has blueprint for West Virginia's spread - PPG

West Virginia's offensive line faces tough test - PPG

Revolving door on defense - Charleston Gazette

Home finale vs. Pitt is WVU's shot at redemption - Charleston Gazette

WVU looking to send its seniors out in style - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Comparing Pitt, WVU; Heisman and focus - Charleston Gazette
VIngle's Notebook

WVU defense set for Brawl against Pitt - Charleston Daily Mail

A Unique Rivalry - MSNsportsNET.Com

Sanders closes in on record - Martinsburg Journal
Mickey's Column

Getting Up For Pitt - WVIllustrated.com

News of Note (BB):

Bob Huggins: Ebanks Still Out - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Video Interview

Andy Katz's Daily Word: Return of Devin Ebanks is key for Mountaineers - ESPN

WVU in Charleston Tuesday - MSNsportsNET.Com
a sort of BB notebook

WVU in 2010 Puerto Rico Tip-Off - MSNsportsNET.Com

Butler a better player than most realize - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

Noah Cottrill's Senior Diary: Volume I - EerSports

Mounties Remain Mum on Ebanks - EerSports

Mr. Versatility - WVIllustrated.com

Da'Sean Butler talks to the media - WVIllustrated.com
Video interview

Recruiting:

Prized Juco D-Lineman To Visit WVU - EerSports

Around the League (and Beyond):

The view from South Bend - TheUConnBlog.com
Way to go UConn!!!

Kings Of New York: Syracuse 87, North Carolina 71 - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Knightmare at the Dome - Protect R Turf

Just Like Old Times: Syracuse Dominates Rutgers 31-13 - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

After collapse against Syracuse, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano blames himself - Star Ledger

USF's B.J. Daniels elusive, like victory, for Louisville football; S. Florida wins 34-22 - Courier-Journal

No. 5 Bearcats rested for final push - Cincinnati Enquirer

USF ready for 'big' game vs. Miami - Tampa Tribune

Tom Luicci's College Football Plus, Nov. 23 edition - Star Ledger

Videos of Interest:

This one courtesy of WVIllustrated:

and being that it's Brawl week:

Vicky's Gallery of the Week:

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a former Hawaiian Tropic Model. Here's Jessi Rockwell.

via cdn.holytaco.com

The gallery kinda sucks so I'm making it up to you with two videos.

San Miguel image via www.sanmiguel.com.ph

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Tuesday (11/17/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:51:06 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, brought to you today by Michelob Ultra Amber. 20.

It's a bye week for both football and basketball and the news will be kinda slow going. I truly appreciate the tips, suggestions and requests that have been submitted so far. Don't be bashful. If you see something, or want to share something, send it in. See you after the jump...

What You May Have Missed:

Bill Stewart: Looking Forward - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Presser video

Bill Stewart Press Conf. Quotes - MSNsportsNET.Com

Quoting The Coach: Monday Press Conference - WVMETRONEWS.COM
more quotes

Stew's Views: Key Moments Revisited - BlueGoldNews.com

WVU-Pitt Television Time Announced - MSNsportsNET.Com
The Brawl is officially a night game with a 7 pm start.

On The Mark: Week 11 - ESPN
There's some schadenfreude in here.

WVU Varsity Sports Report - BlueGoldNews.com

Big East declines comment on two replay calls - ESPN
Like anybody expected them to own up to anything....

News of Note (FB):

Hoppy's Commentary - WVMETRONEWS.COM

West Virginia Notebook: Tough loss to Bearcats hard for some to forget - PPG

Answer Dude explains curious calls, bowl scenario - Charleston Gazette

Stewart said he'd go for broke again late - Charleston Gazette

Mountaineers don't plan any action regarding replay call - Charleston Daily Mail

WVU has some things to fix, and fast - Charleston Daily Mail

Roles reversed for Backyard Brawl - Times West Virginian

Trickery worth a try for Stewart - Times West Virginian

Ohio State's Columbus, West Virginia's Morgantown: A Tale of Two Cities - Bleacher Report

News of Note (BB):

Lessons From the Heart - MSNsportsNET.Com
Danny Jennings is profiled. This young man's journey is heart-wrenching.

Butler: "We can't depend on Devin to save the team." - EerSports.com
Postgame interview video

Greater Depths - WVIllustrated.com

2K Sports Classic, 76 Classic highlight early season tournaments - SI.com

West Virginia Holds Off Marist - MSNsportsNET.Com
The women get win #2.

Recruiting:

EerSports on the Recruiting Trail: Nov. 16 - EerSports.com

Tobias Harris Journal: Leaving Atlanta Soon; Decision Time - allkyhoops.com

Around the League (and Beyond):

Big East declines comment on two replay calls - ESPN
Like anybody expected them to own up to anything....

Big East football: A look back at Week 11 - Star Ledger

Big East Award Winners - WVIllustrated.com

Pitt Notebook: Effort pays off for Baldwin - PPG

University of Cincinnati will finance practice fields - Cincinnati Enquirer
"To be completed by fall 2010, the fields are a critical factor in UC’s strategy to retain football coach Brian Kelly." - Good luck with that

Cincinnati-Virginia Tech game [2012 - ed.] moved to FedEx Field - ESPN
This ought to be fun to watch after Kelly is long gone.

Rutgers CB Devin McCourty putting the 'special' in special teams play this season - Star Ledger

Marrone: SU out to win games, not give backup QB experience - syracuse.com

Orange lose two more - ESPN
Keep this up and they won't have enough for a team in the bowl. Wait a sec (light goes on)....Oh, yeah.

Kragthorpe not going ‘voluntarily' - Courier-Journal

Gruden to remain with ESPN - KansasCity.com
...in related news

Why Yes, We Are Amused - Pitt Blather

Michigan Wolverines didn't keep workout logs, school says - ESPN

Wilbon: Richrod, Weis are Done - With Leather
The photo-shop of Weis makes this one worth the click. Be forewarned: It's disturbing.

Video of Interest:

Thanks once again to our friends at WVIllustrated.com

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Why do I get the image in my head of The 25314 (corrected) driving this car?

Belt Gallery of the Week:

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is yet another Brazilian beauty. What's in the water down there? This is Thaisse Carvalho.

via www.terra.es

Michelob Ultra Amber image via www.gedaz.com

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Monday (11/9/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:05:35 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, brought to you today by Schaefer. We're up to 14.

Despite how the FB team looked Saturday, I think WVU fans had a pretty good weekend. The BB team opened their exhibition season and looked good (talented, deep and balanced). Other schools around the country wish they had our weekend, namely ND, UM, PSU, Oregon, and Oklahoma. Hell, Cincinnati rolled up 711 yards of O and barely hung on (I'm not arguing patterns/regularity vs. anomaly). Anyway...I'm not here to convince anybody anything. Sometimes, I'll share my opinion and disagree. But try to convince somebody of something?....Over the internet?...I'll try to leave that to others from now on. Enough of my soapbox. Send in your tips and requests. Lot's of news and fun after the jump UPDATED at 10:30am...

What You May Have Missed:

West Virginia beats Louisville, 17-9 - PPG
Injury updates at the bottom

Coach Stewart Teleconference - MSNsportsNET.Com

Gold and Blue Report for Monday - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Twitter / Coach Bill Stewart
"NEVER Doubt Beliefs...NEVER Believe Doubts...STAY THE COURSE and PRESS ONWARD...VICTORY is Possible for Person who Refuses To Stop Fighting!"

2009 NCAA College Football Polls and Rankings for Week 11 - ESPN

What we learned in the Big East, Week 10 - ESPN

Week 10 review, Week 11 preview - ESPN

Big East power rankings, Week 11 - ESPN
"Wins matter a whole lot more than style points, of course, but this recent stretch raises serious doubts about whether West Virginia is in the same class as Cincinnati and Pitt. We're about to find out."

College GameDay Final - ESPN

College Football Overtime - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

NCAA College Football BCS Bowl Projections Week 10 - ESPN

Big East bowl projections - ESPN

The press box is no place for Steve Kragthorpe's wife - 'Eers to the Ground / PPG
From Dunlap's blog. WOW (and not in a good way)

News of Note (FB):

Miller Time - MSNsportsNET.Com

West Virginia's passing numbers plummet - PPG

Bearcats 'powerful' - Charleston Gazette

Plenty of bad news for WVU in short week - Charleston Daily Mail

WVU hopes for momentum to continue - Charleston Daily Mail

Stewart unsure about Devine or how to slow Bearcats - ESPN

‘This is a juggernaut’ - Times West Virginian
711 yards on Friday....I'd call that a juggernaut.

For now, WVU just an average Big East team - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

Mountaineers Mix and Match on D-Line - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

Mountaineers’ defense dealing with injuries - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

WVU Is Too Generous Late in The First Halves - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

West Virginia turns to 3 tough tests - Martinsburg Journal (AP)

Thomas follows dad’s footsteps - Register-Herald
Mickey's Column

Stewart views Bearcats on TV - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

Monday Morning Quarterback - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

West Virginia in the Big East's BCS triangle - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Keeping the Faith in the Battle for the Big East - WVIllustrated.com

News of Note (BB):

Off And Running - MSNsportsNET.Com

Basketball Is Here - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article and photo gallery

WVU, Jones maul Mountain State - Charleston Gazette

Expect WVU's 'Threes' to feed off each other - Charleston Gazette

Kilicli shows skills in exhibition - Times West Virginian
According to the PA announcer, it's pronounced "Kuh-looch-la"

Jones Dominates As WVU Rolls in Exhibition Opener - EerSports.com

WVU’s Huggins Altering His Approach in 2009 - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

West Virginia Hoops Looking to Roll in 09-10 - NBE Basketball Report

Mountaineers have Big East title hopes this year - Herald Dispatch

Recruiting:

Mike Dorsey brings power at safety - Charleston Daily Mail

Ohio Tight End a WVU Fan Since Birth - EerSports.com

WVU Visit Ends; Back to Work for Tobias Harris - allkyhoops.com

Around the League (and Beyond):

Cincinnati No. 5 in polls, Pitt in Top 10 - ESPN
"That means four Big East teams are ranked this week, a season high. Only one other league, the SEC, has as many as two Top 10 teams. The Big East actually has as many ranked teams this week than the mighty SEC."

Collaros might keep starting job for UC - Cincinnati Enquirer

Pitt's final three foes appear to be vulnerable - PPG

Cincinnati 47, UConn 45: I am officially losing it - TheUConnBlog.com

Rutgers DE George Johnson likes what he sees in South Florida defensive ends - Star Ledger

Serene Dion: Pittsburgh Runs All Over Syracuse, 37-10 - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Louisville football's best not quite good enough - Courier-Journal
Author thinks UL played their best game of the season.

Big East helmet stickers: Week 10 - ESPN

Video of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

I generally have a large dislike for anything Reebok, but God Bless 'em for these commercials.

Hot Fight Girls Gallery of the Week:

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is the best thing to come out of Liverpool since the Beatles. Please say hello to Amanda Harrington.

via www.gunaxin.com

Schaefer image via www.beerencounters.com

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Wednesday (11/4/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:07:45 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, brought to you today by Stroh's. This goes to eleven.

It's seems the reports of my demise were pre-mature. Lew-uh-vull week is well under way and the Krag is in fine form. Hopefully we'll get to see a diary entry sometime soon. It's also video day here at the Shotgun/Throwdown. So get yourself some popcorn, sit back, relax and enjoy the shows. Tips and requests are always nice. Let's get it started...

What You May Have Missed:

Bill Stewart: On The Rebound - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Stew's Views: "Nothing To Lose" for U of L - BlueGoldNews.com

Coach Bill Stewart Quotes - MSNsportsNET.Com

Gold and Blue Report for Wednesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Football: Selected Player Quotes - MSNsportsNET.Com

Fact Check - BlueGoldNews.com

Big East stock report, Week 10 - ESPN

2009 Big East Fearless Picks - Week 10 - Scout.com

Power Rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com
He still has us at #23. But the best read is in the intro.

Forde Yard Dash - ESPN

News of Note:

West Virginia's Stewart wants to run the table - PPG

Louisville coach hasn't lost his sense of humor - Charleston Gazette

Louisville coach lauds WVU gameday crowd - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's Notebook

Mountaineer fans take aim at Cards - Courier-Journal

Goodbye to warm welcomes, a WVU recruit and eye gouging - Charleston Gazette

Coaching not always about Xs and Os - Times West Virginian

Young QBs have picked apart W.Va.’s defense - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register (AP)

WVU needs some fast fixes - Herald Dispatch

Stewart: Louisville has a lot to gain, nothing to lose - Register-Herald

Florida takes toll on WVU, Herd football - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

Devin Ebanks builds on freshman year by bulking up for West Virginia - NY Daily News

Alexander had tough decision - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

Quarterback Pat White has work to do before Miami Dolphins' caution lifts - MiamiHerald.com

Recruiting:

Future WVU RB Johnson "Best East of the Mississippi" - EerSports.com

Q&A: Doc Holliday Talks Recruiting - EerSports.com

McCartney Fond of Morgantown - WVIllustrated.com

What's On Tap:

Ex-athletes, team owners discuss sports business - Charleston Daily Mail
6 p.m. today in the Erickson Alumni Center

Around the League (and Beyond):

Cardinals inspired by Dungy - Courier-Journal

Rutgers' Tim Brown relishing opportunity to finally be team's go-to receiver - Star Ledger

Daniels getting help with sliding skills - Tampa Tribune
This was right after merry-go-round 101. Learning to swing is an adult graduate course (double entendre fully intended).

Why is Pitt's attendance so low? - PPG
He never does answer the question from the headline.

Pitt Notebook: Receivers aim to keep passing game clicking - PPG

What's next for UC's Collaros? - Cincinnati Enquirer

Loss of five contributors in one week will hurt Syracuse University football team - syracuse.com

Syracuse Loses to LeMoyne 82-79 in Exhibition - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Syracuse continues to define the, "well, it could be worse," category of the college sports world.

OUR HEROES - TheUConnBlog.com
UConn is enjoying this.

Frustrated freshman staying with Vols - Truth&Rumors/FanNation

UT Vols Break Out Black Jerseys – Dave and Thomas Daily Timekillers
For those of you that think our all yellow "mustard" look is bad. Not that I'm a fan of it either, btw, but it's better than this.

Video of Interest:

JP Fanshawe mentioned this in the Tell Me Why You Love Mountaineer Football thread yesterday and felt it needed posting, so here it is.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Same team! Same team!!!

This Week in Bodypainting:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a budding Polish pop singer, but will be forever known for things other than her voice. Please welcome a personal favorite of mine, Ewa Sonnet. (Google her if you want to see more, wink wink)

via images.serialgamer.com

Stroh's image via www.neonsign.com

BtB 2009-10 Big East Preview

Chris Dobbertean — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:19:46 -0000

The Big East had a BIG season last year, but not quite the monster year many predicted. At the end of the year, the conference only qualified eight teams for the NCAAs, instead the nine or ten many had predicted. Louisville earned the tournament's overall number one seed, while UConn and Pitt joined them on the top line. The Huskies were the only one of this group to make it to Detroit, but the 3 seed in the East region, Villanova, knocked off the Panthers to join Connecticut at Ford Field.

Graduation and the NBA Draft sapped some of the star power from the conference during the offseason, and teams like Pitt and Marquette, look to be in rebuilding mode because of it. Louisville, whose summer included personnel losses and revelations about Rick Pitino's personal life, will be a contender but not quite the power of last year. UConn and Syracuse also lost significant personnel, but have some exciting recruits coming in to fill the voids. Two teams who fell flat last year, Georgetown and Notre Dame could be back, while Cincinnati, St. John's, and Seton Hall may be waking from a long slumber.

But the two teams who appear to be head and shoulders above the rest are the two who lost the least, Villanova and West Virginia. They'll start with the biggest targets on their backs, and they'll take plenty of shots in the early season, particularly in tournament play. Both play in loaded fields this November, the Wildcats in Puerto Rico; the Mountaineers in Anaheim.

More on all 16 teams in the largest league in the land after the jump.

Here's a recap of last year's Big East standings.

Big East Conference Standings

(updated 4.5.2009 at 12:15 AM EDT)

	Conf		Overall
	W	L	W	L
Louisville Cardinals	16	2	31	6
Connecticut Huskies	15	3	31	5
Pittsburgh Panthers	15	3	31	5
Villanova Wildcats	13	5	30	8
Marquette Golden Eagles	12	6	25	10
Syracuse Orange	11	7	28	10
West Virginia Mountaineers	10	8	23	12
Providence Friars	10	8	19	14
Notre Dame Fighting Irish	8	10	21	15
Cincinnati Bearcats	8	10	18	14
Seton Hall Pirates	7	11	17	15
Georgetown Hoyas	7	11	16	15
St. John's Red Storm	6	12	16	18
South Florida Bulls	4	14	9	22
Rutgers Scarlet Knights	2	16	11	21
DePaul Blue Demons	0	18	9	24

Now, here are my picks for 2009-10, presented in reverse order. If a team name appears in red, click it to go to that schools SBNation site, your source for more in depth analysis.

DePaul (last NCAA: 2004) The Blue Demons defeated a league opponent once only last season, bursting Cincinnati's bubble in the first round of the Big East tournament. The pressure is definitely on Jerry Wainwright at the moment, but this team doesn't look like it will improve much. The foundation is good, even with swingman Dar Tucker's departure for the professional game, as 6-10 Mac Koshwal is a beast inside for Wainwright, as he averaged over 12 points and nearly 10 boards a game last year, and Will Walker averaged nearly 15 points a game in the backcourt. But the rest of the squad lacks scoring punch and experience. Ohio State transfer Eric Wallace, Oregon State transfer Eric Wallace, and returnees Devin Hill (3.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Mario Stula (1.7 ppg) will have to produce more to make up for the loss of Tucker, while Jabari Currie (5.3 ppg, 1.8 apg) and Jeremiah Kelly (4.3 ppg, 2.4 apg) will need to help Walker out more in the backcourt. DePaul will play Northern Iowa in the Paradise Jam, then East Carolina or Tennessee in their second game. They'll also head to Tampa to take on Mississippi State in the Big East/SEC Invitational.

Providence (last NCAA: 2004) The Friars won 10 Big East games in Keno Davis' first season at the helm, but ended up in the NIT. Providence's schedule is a big reason for their failure, as they defeated Cincinnati and Rutgers twice, and were swept by Villanova, making their victory total a bit suspect. Providence should drop significantly this season, as they lost four starters off an already disappointing team. Senior point guard Sharaud Curry (11.7 ppg, 4.2 apg) is the lone returning starter, so at least the offense will be in good hands. Production will have to come from 6-5 wing Marshon Brooks (10.6 ppg) and 6-4 Brian McKenzie (4.6 ppg), along with JC transfer Kyle Wright and freshman Duke Mondy, both of whom lit it up at their previous level of competition. 6-9 JC transfer Russ Permenter and 6-8 freshmen Kadeem Bates and James Still will join two redshirt freshmen, 6-6 Jamine Peterson and 6-8 Bilal Dixon, on an all new frontline. How quickly that group can adjust to the rigors of the Big East will determine how well PC can do this season. The Friars don't participate in a tournament this year, but they travel to Alabama and host former Big East member Boston College.

South Florida (last NCAA: 1992) The Bulls should be better this year, but the question is whether that will show up in the standings. Stan Heath returns three starters from a team that won only four Big East contests a season ago, including guard Dominique Jones (18.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.9 apg) and 6-10 forward Augustus Gilchrist (10.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg). Both of those players will receive significant help in their particular units, as Ohio State transfer Anthony Crater will take some of the playmaking pressure off Jones (as will a bigger role for senior Chris Howard, who averaged over 4 assists a game last year) and 6-11 JC transfer Jarrid Famous will combine with Gilchrist to form one of the more intimidating frontlines in the conference. 6-4 guard Mike Mercer (8.5 ppg, 33.3% from 3) returns to the team for his final season after head coach Stan Heath booted him in January for disciplinary issues. USF's freshmen, heavy on guards and wings, includes Joe Dumars' son, Jordan. The Bulls will play in the Charleston Classic before Thanksgiving, where they'll play Davidson on Day 1. A matchup with either La Salle or South Carolina awaits on Day 2. USF will also face San Diego and San Francisco in Las Vegas before Christmas.

Rutgers (last NCAA: 1991) The Scarlet Knights once again struggled in the Big East, winning only two games in the conference in '08-09. Fred Hill's team should face another tough year despite the return of 6-3 sophomore guard Mike Rosario (16.2 ppg) and an improving frontline featuring imposing shotblocker 6-9 Gregory Echenique (8.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.4 bpg) and 6-11 center Hamady Ndiaye (5.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg). 6-7 Jonathan Mitchell, a transfer from Florida, and 6-6 sophomore Patrick Jackson, a rarely used freshman, are expected to contribute as well. While Rutgers is set at shooting guard thanks to Rosario, JC transfer James Beatty will likely replace Anthony Farmer at the point, though junior Mike Coburn (4 ppg, 2.1 apg), last year's backup, will see plenty of time there as well. The Scarlet Knights will make the short trip to Atlantic City, where they'll face UMass in the semifinals of the Legends Classic. They'll play either Florida or Michigan State on the following evening. A December 28 trip to North Carolina also looms large.

Marquette (last NCAA: 2009) The Golden Eagles appear due for a fall in Buzz Williams' second year at the helm. Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews, and Dominic James, Marquette's starting backcourt of a season ago, have all graduated. And while 6-6 F Lazar Hayward (16.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg) is back, that's a lot of production Williams will have to replace. Jimmy Butler (5.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg), another 6-6 forward, should move from the sixth man role to the starting lineup, but he needs to show more offensive consistency. Two-time Wisconsin HS Player of the Year Jeronne Maymon, yet another 6-6 forward, will be expected to contribute immediately, as will 6-7 shot blocking machine Erik Williams. Marquette's all-new backcourt features two JC All-Americans, 6-3 Dwight Buycks and 6-1 Darius Johnson-Odom, and 6-1 Canadian freshman Junior Cadougan, the heir apparent to James. Maurice Acker (2.8 ppg, 1.8 apg), who replaced James when he went out with a broken foot, is also back for the Golden Eagles. Marquette plays in the Old Spice Classic this year, where they open with Xavier. They'll then play either Michigan or Creighton in what has to be called that tournament's Midwestern half of the bracket.

Pittsburgh (last NCAA: 2009) The Panthers will be in full rebuilding mode this season, as Jamie Dixon lost four starters from a season ago. However, the one starter who is back, senior guard Jermaine Dixon (8.4 ppg, 2 apg), is out until November thanks to a broken foot. Reserves Gilbert Brown (5.4 ppg), Brad Wanamaker (5.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and Ashton Gibbs (4.3 ppg, 43.9% from 3) will have to take on a greater role, but replacing Levance Fields at the point is the biggest issue for Pitt. Ultimately, Gibbs and Centenary transfer Chase Adams (14.6 ppg, 4.5 apg) will have to shoulder the load. The frontcourt was decimated thanks to the departure of DeJuan Blair, Sam Young, and Tyrell Biggs. 6-10 center Gary McGhee (1.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg in roughly 6 minutes per game) will see a lot more time this season, as will 6-6 swingman Gilbert Brown (5.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg), but 6-9 freshman Dante Taylor, a McDonald's All-American, could become the most exciting frontcourt player for the Panthers this season. Pitt will travel to Kansas City for the CBE Classic, where they'll open against Wichita State. Big 12 power Texas or now-perennially-rebuilding Iowa awaits on the second night.

Seton Hall (last NCAA: 2006) Bobby Gonzalez not only brings back four starters from a season ago, led by offensive force Jeremy Hazell (22.7 ppg), he has several transfers coming in to provide much needed depth. The Pirates' solid backcourt, featuring Hazell, starting point guard Eugene Harvey (12.5 ppg, 4.5 apg), and backup PG Jordan Theodore (5.9 ppg, 2 apg) receives a major reinforcement in the form of Missouri transfer Keon Lawrence (11 ppg, 2.3 apg in '07-08). An emerging frontline, featuring 6-6 Robert Mitchell (14.7 ppg, 8 rpg) and 6-9 John Garcia (8 ppg, 7 rpg), will be even better thanks to the presence of 6-8 New Mexico State transfer Herb Pope, who averaged more than 11 points and almost 7 boards a game in his single season in Las Cruces. Melvyn Oliver, a 6-11 sophomore who weighs in at an immovable 340 pounds and 6-6 Memphis transfer Jeff Robinson will also see some minutes. Seton Hall won't participate in a tournament this year, but they'll still get some time in the sun. They'll travel to Cancun to take on Virginia Tech on the second day of 2010.

St. John's (last NCAA: 2002) Last season, Norm Roberts' Red Storm won 16 games, 6 in the Big East, during a campaign that was plagued by injuries. St. John's hasn't quite been able to shake the injury bug yet, as their best player, 6-7 senior F Anthony Mason, Jr. (14 ppg, 4.3 rpg) will be out until at least late November with a hamstring injury. He only played three games last season thanks to a torn tendon in his right foot. When he returns, he'll join 6-6 junior D.J. Kennedy (13 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and 6-8 junior Sean Evans (10.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg) to form a quality frontcourt. 6-3 junior Paris Horne, who led the Red Storm in scoring a season ago (14.6 ppg), and 5-9 PG Malik Boothe (6.4 ppg, 4.4 apg) will anchor the backcourt, with sophomore Quincy Roberts (5 ppg) and freshman PG Malik Stith, as the supporting cast. St. John's will participate in the Philly Hoop Group Classic over Thanksgiving weekend at the Palestra, where they'll face Siena and Temple.

Notre Dame (last NCAA: 2008) The Fighting Irish have a chance of improving on last year's disappointing 21-win NIT campaign thanks to the return of 6-8 Luke Harangody (23.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg), a player who has numerous school and conference records within reach. In the backcourt, point guard Tory Jackson (10.6 ppg, 4.9 apg) returns, but perimeter sharpshooters Kyle McAlarney (15 ppg) and Ryan Ayers (11.1 ppg) will be sorely missed. Mississippi State transfer Ben Hansbrough, brother of Tyler, will be called on to make up some of that production, though he's just as likely to score inside, as he can really drive to the basket. Unfortunately, another player who would've fit in immediately, 6-8 Purdue transfer Scott Martin, will miss the year with a knee injury. That means 6-8 junior Tyrone Nash (3 ppg, 3.6 rpg) will have to take on a greater role. Ultimately, a lack of depth will keep the Irish from rising too high in the standings, but they should be competitive for an NCAA bid. Notre Dame will participate in the Chicago Invitational Challenge, where they open with Northwestern. The second day the Irish will face either Iowa State or Saint Louis.

Cincinnati (last NCAA: 2005) Thanks to four returning starters and a couple of key newcomers, Mick Cronin's team should be able to improve on last year's 18 wins (8 in the conference), and with the losses other Big East teams suffered, they should get back to the Dance. The Bearcats' strength will be their backcourt, led by all-Big East pick Deonta Vaughn (15.3 ppg, 4.7 apg). He'll receive more help than he had last year, as PG Cashmere Wright is back after missing all of last year with a knee injury and Larry Davis (6.8 ppg) also returns from an ankle injury. 6-9 Yancy Gates (10.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg), who was one of the league's top freshmen last season anchors the frontcourt, which will also feature 6-11 Oklahoma State transfer Ibrahima Thomas (8.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg) when the fall semester ends. However, the arrival of 6-6 New Yorker Lance Stephenson gives the Bearcats a second legit star. New York State's all-time leading scorer averaged nearly 29 points a contest last year, so he should provide an instant boost to a team that was weak on the offensive end last season. Cincy will play in Maui this November, where they open with Vanderbilt. If they win that, a semifinal with Maryland would likely await.

Georgetown (last NCAA: 2008) The Hoyas were touted as a Final Four team by some last year, but struggled with consistency throughout the season. DaJuan Summers left early for the NBA, which is a major blow, and Jesse Sapp, the senior point guard and defensive specialist who saw a lot more action than anticipated last year, graduated, but John Thompson III has plenty of talent returning to improve on last season's 16-15 mark. Chris Wright (12.5 ppg, 3.8 apg) is back to run the point after showing well in his first league campaign. He missed all of the previous conference season with an ankle injury. At the 2 spot, Austin Freeman (11.4 ppg, 2 apg) will be expected to improve his production in Summers' absence. The frontcourt is anchored by conference Newcomer of the Year Greg Monroe (12.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg), but those expected to start alongside him, sophomore PF Henry Sims and freshman SF Hollis Thompson are relatively inexperienced. That means reserve Julian Vaughn (1.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg), who was expected to contribute more in his first year after transferring from Florida State, and occasional starter Nikita Mescheriakov (2.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg) may see quite a bit more time than anticipated. The Hoyas won't participate in a tournament this season, but they will head west to take on Washington in the Wooden Classic (not UCLA, which would make sense) and up to New York to face Butler in the Jimmy V Classic.

Louisville (last NCAA: 2009) Rick Pitino was the center of a lot of unwanted attention this offseason thanks to some well-publicized off the court issues. On the court, the Cards the news was also negative, as the team's two leading scorers and rebounders from last season, Earl Clark and Terrence Williams, are now in the NBA. The cupboard is far from bare for Pitino, however. He has a backcourt led by seniors Edgar Sosa (7.3 ppg, 2.3 apg) and Jerry Smith, a gifted shooter who averaged almost 8 points a game while shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. Junior Preston Knowles shot even better from outside, 43 percent, as the sixth man last year. The Cards will need their production, along with that of 6-4 freshman sharpshooter Mike Marra and McDonald's All-American PG Peyton Siva, to replace some of the production that left with Clark and Williams. The frontcourt should be a strength, thanks to the return of 6-9 Samardo Samuels (11.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg), though he'll need to be more consistent. Samuels will be challenged by having to do more of the dirty work on the glass, as he was only the third leading rebounder on last year's team. 6-9 sophomore Terrence Jennings should also provide more punch this season, as he averaged 4.2 ppg and 2.9 rpg in only about 12 minutes worth of action as a freshman. Tony Delk, a 6-4 swingman, who averaged less than a bucket a game last year, should also see more time. Besides the traditional game with Kentucky, Louisville will play Arkansas in the Hall of Fame Showcase in St. Louis before they play home games against three mid-major opponents in the same event.

Syracuse (last NCAA: 2009) The Orange lost their three leading scorers--NBA first rounder Jonny Flynn, his Niagara Falls High School teammate Paul Harris, and Eric Devendorf--off a squad that reached the Sweet 16. But don't expect Jim Boeheim's squad to fall too far down the Big East pecking order. Two regular frontcourt starters--6-9 C Arinze Onuaku (10.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg) and 6-9 F Rick Jackson (8.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg)-return, as does part-time starter Andy Rautins (10.5 ppg, 36.6% from 3). The newcomers are even more intriguing. 6-7 F Wesley Johnson, who averaged over 12 points and almost 8 boards as a freshman and 12+ points and 4 boards as a sophomore at Iowa State, will fill Harris' spot in the frontcourt. 6-4 freshman Brandon Triche will replace Flynn at the point. The Orange have some talent on the bench, as 6-1 sophomore guard Scoop Jardine returns after sitting out last year injured, 6-7 sophomore Kris Joseph will provide some depth up front, but he'll have to be more consistent than he was as a freshman. 6-8 freshman James Southerland should see some time off the bench because of his ability to shoot. Syracuse makes the short trip to New York City for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, where they'll face California in the semifinals, then either Ohio State or North Carolina. They'll travel to Tampa to take on Florida in the Big East/SEC Invitational and host Memphis in the Dome.

Connecticut (last NCAA: 2009) Jim Calhoun lost three starters off a Final Four team, Hasheem Thabeet, A.J. Price, and Jeff Adrien, but don't expect UConn to fall too far. PG Kemba Walker (8.9 ppg, 2.8 apg) got a lot of experience off the bench in '08-09 and will be ready to fill Price's shoes at the 1 spot. Freshman Darius Smith should also see some time at the point and maybe even at the 2 spot, thanks to his scoring ability. Jerome Dyson (13.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg) returns from a torn meniscus to provide more toughness to the backcourt. In the frontcourt, SF Stanley Robinson (8.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg) needs to show more consistency, while 6-9 senior Gavin Edwards steps into a starting role for the first time. Calhoun has some impact youngsters on his frontline, including 6-10 Ater Majok and high school teammates Alex Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel. If the younger frontcourt produces as the season goes on, UConn could go on another long March run. Of course, the ongoing investigation surrounding Josh Nochimson could still lead to some distractions during the season. Schedule-wise, the Huskies will host the North regional of the NIT Season Tip-Off. That should result in the first of two trips to MSG for them, as they also face Kentucky in the Big East/SEC Invitational.

West Virginia (last NCAA: 2009) The Mountaineers bring back the bulk of a team that disappointingly lost to Dayton in the first round of last year's NCAAs. Bob Huggins' frontcourt features two players who will challenge for national honors this year, 6-7 senior Da'Sean Butler (17.1 ppg. 5.9 rpg) and 6-9 sophomore Devin Ebanks (10.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg)-a player who really came on in the second half of last season. PF Wellington Smith (5.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg), a 6-7 senior, should up his performance now that he's recovered from a stress fracture in his leg, while 6-8 sophomore Kevin Jones (6.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg) is another solid reserve player for the Mountaineers. The backcourt will be new as JC transfer Casey Mitchell will be the starting shooting guard and Alex Ruoff's replacement at point guard is a real question mark. Darryl Bryant (9.8 ppg, 2.7 apg), Ruoff's heir apparent, was suspended by Huggins over the summer. Joe Mazzulla (5.6 ppg, 3.7 apg), another player who had to deal with off the court issues last year, is another option. His minutes depend on how well he's recovered from the severe shoulder injury he suffered early last season. The Mountaineers will play in the 76 Classic in Anaheim, where they'll open with Long Beach State. A matchup with either Clemson or Texas A&M awaits on the day after Thanksgiving.

Villanova (last NCAA: 2009) Leading scorer Dante Cunningham (16.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and swingman Dwayne Anderson (9 ppg, 6.2 rpg) may be gone from last year's Final Four team, but there's enough quality on the roster to ensure that the Wildcats remain near the top of the league. Sixth man Corey Fisher (10.8 ppg, 2.8 apg) should move over to the point full-time, while senior Scottie Reynolds (15.2 ppg, 3.4 apg) will continue to help with the playmaking, even in a more offensive role. The frontcourt corps of 6-5 Corey Stokes (9.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 6-5 Reggie Redding (7.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), and 6-8 Antonio Pena (5.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) will be joined by several newcomers. 6-11 redshirt Maurice Sutton, 6-6 Duke transfer Taylor King, and 6-7 freshman Isaiah Armwood will see considerable minutes, while 6-10 Mouphtaou Yarou, a high school teammate of Armwood, will give the Wildcats an inside dimension they haven't had in years. Nova will play in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off before Thanksgiving. They'll open with George Mason before facing either Dayton or Georgia Tech on the second day.

The Wildcats will hold the Big East's auto bid in my 2009-10 Final Preseason Bracket, which I will release on November 9. There will undoubtedly be a few of their conference brethren joining them.

To wrap up this preview, here is my preseason All-Big East team, featuring the best returning players from last season.

Preseason All-Big East Team

Player of the Year: Luke Harangody, 6-8 F, Sr. (Notre Dame)

Remainder of the Team
Da'Sean Butler, 6-7 F. Sr. (West Virginia)
Devin Ebanks, 6-9 F, So. (West Virginia)
Greg Monroe, 6-11 F, So. (Georgetown)
Scottie Reynolds, 6-2 G, Sr. (Villanova)

Poll

Who is your pick to win the Big East this season?

Cincinnati

7 votes

Connecticut

9 votes

DePaul

1 votes

Georgetown

24 votes

Louisville

13 votes

Marquette

0 votes

Notre Dame

1 votes

Pittsburgh

6 votes

Providence

0 votes

Rutgers

2 votes

St. John's

1 votes

Seton Hall

1 votes

South Florida

0 votes

Syracuse

10 votes

Villanova

18 votes

West Virginia

19 votes

112 votes | Poll has closed

Your obligatory Big East primer

SFBE.NF — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:26:57 -0000

Based on last year's Conference RPI ratings, the Big East finished fourth overall. But when you put two teams in the Final Four (Nova, UCONN), another two in the Elite Eight (Louisville, Pitt), have the top overall team coming into the tournament (Louisville again), and host one of the greatest games of attrition in college basketball history (Cuse-UCONN), you shouldn't let Jerry Palm and the like tell you otherwise. Common sense whispered in my ear and said this was the best conference in college basketball last season. It's odd though...seven months removed from that epic season, the Big East isn't facing as much of a hangover as you would expect.

West Virginia will be a lot of fun to watch. Devin Ebanks and Da'Sean Butler know how to score on their own terms, and Bob Huggins knows how to win...on his own terms.

Villanova is going to run, and run until their opponent concedes defeat. They have a great balance of experience and young guns in Maalik Wayns and Dominic Cheek. The majority of their rotation will consist of guards, but I have always been a believer that having talented guards is remarkably more important in college basketball than having a solid front court.

UCONN is UCONN. They remain freakishly athletic, and you can't blindly discount a Jim Calhoun team until they prove their mediocrity on the court.

Syracuse loses 55 percent of their scoring but will ease into the season with their, as expected, paltry non-conference schedule (Colgate and Cornell and Columbia!!!). Oh Jim Boeheim you're so wise. Meanwhile, Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris will get to watch all of this from afar, wondering what was in that sticky stuff they smoked last spring, which told them to "go pro."

And of course there's still Luke Harangody, who is bound to break at least a few scoring records this season and is a leading candidate for all those national player of the year awards.

Yup, the Big East is still our favorite conference. So much so that even your dreadful Providence-Depaul match-up is something we can stand to watch.

A breakdown is after the jump.

Tourney teams (in order of conference finish)

1.      Villanova
2.      West Virginia
3.      UCONN
4.      Syracuse
5.      Georgetown
6.      Notre Dame
7.      Louisville
8.     Cincinnati

*and maybe, just maybe, Seton Hall sneaks in here

All Conference Team

Jerome Dyson, UCONN
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova
Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati

Most overrated - Louisville's backcourt. Karen Sypher.

Most underrated - Cincinnati. Stanley Robinson.

Notable non-conference match-ups:

12/6 - Villanova vs. Maryland
12/9 - UCONN vs. Kentucky (MSG)
12/12 - Georgetown vs. Washington
1/1 - West Virginia @ Purdue
1/2 - Louisville @ Kentucky

Five story lines to keep tabs on:

Cincinnati. Has Mick Cronin finally turned the corner? He has three scoring threats in Deonta Vaughn, Yancy Gates and Lance Stevenson. The Bearcats may breakout this season.

Guard U. How will Jay Wright handle a team that has three bonafide guards, two elite incoming guards, and a Reggie Redding who is suspended for the fall semester but will spend most of his time on the wing once he returns.

Luke Harangody. For the few who play fantasy college basketball, he's your number one pick. With transfer Scott Martin tearing his ACL last month, the Irish are now even that much thinner. Gody currently ranks 8^th on the programs all-time scoring list, and if he just replicates his 23.3 ppg output from last season, he will supplant Austin Carr as the most prolific scorer in Irish history.

Louisville. How do they hold up now that they are down this season and their in-state counterparts have catapulted back into the Final Four picture?

Depaul. Do they win a Big East game this season? They're 2-28 in their last 30 Big East regular season games dating back to January 2008.

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Tuesday (11/3/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:21:45 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, brought to you today by Molson Export. We've made it to ten.

There's not a whole for me to comment on right now (as if you people read this for my comments), but I really just don't like this new layout, so we'll just get on with it. I work for tips and requests. The other side awaits...

What You May Have Missed:

Stew's Views: Cardinal Importance - BlueGoldNews.com

Gold and Blue Report for Tuesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Football: USF Award Winners - MSNsportsNET.Com
Short list this week.

Initial Thoughts: Louisville - WVIllustrated.com

On The Mark: Week 9 - ESPN

Mountaineers in the NFL: Week Eight Update - WVIllustrated.com

Joe Alexander Dropped by Bucks - WVMetroNews.com

Butler, Ebanks Receive All-America Votes - WVMETRONEWS.COM

News of Note:

Answer Dude heals wounds from losses - Charleston Gazette

'Season opener' was finish for WVU - Charleston Daily Mail

Cardinal coach has three QBs to choose - Charleston Daily Mail

Bulls might have provided blueprint to beat WVU - Charleston Daily Mail

Kicking themselves - Charleston Gazette

Stewart: Team has to move on - Times West Virginian

WVU tries to rebound after defeat - Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Stewart sees positives in loss to Bulls - Inter-Mountain

Stewart knows primary concern is secondary - Register-Herald

Controversy in Louisville - WVIllustrated.com

Recruiting:

Here's some video on Tobias Harris (who's visiting Lew-uh-vull right now...GRRR)

Around the League (and Beyond):

Kragthorpe cracks Gruden joke - ESPN
I gotta give the guy credit on this one.

Big East football weekly roundup - Star Ledger

Rewind: Big East Primed for Big Finish -- NCAA Football FanHouse

For Rutgers QB Tom Savage, the future is wow - Star Ledger

What next for Syracuse in the wake of departure by Williams? - syracuse.com

UC foe [UConn ed.] keeping chin up - Cincinnati Enquirer

UC's Pike expected to practice - Cincinnati Enquirer

Several USF players are nursing injuries - Tampa Tribune

Pitt expects different Syracuse - PPG

Spikes' suspension not a black eye for UF - Tampa Tribune
"That doesn't make what Spikes did right, but it's also the way the game is played." - HUH?!?! See below.

Video of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Lingerie Football Gallery of the Week:

via www.djmick.co.uk

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is one very good reason to end our banning of Cuban imports to the US. This is Mayra Veronica.

via images.celebscentral.net

Molson Export image via www.brandsoftheworld.com